What was a Holy Name altar and sick call outfit used for?

Answer 1

A Holy Name Altar is a combination wall shrine, usually having a chalkware figure of the Pieta (13th Station of the Cross) under reverse painted glass in an oak frame. They were patented Feb 12, 1909 by Koenig Bros. Back in the day most people were treated for illness and died at home. Hospitals were not in widespread use and doctors and priests (Catholic and Anglican, and others) made house calls. It was fairly common for families to have such a "sick call shrine" to assist the priest in delivering the Sacrament to the sick and dying. The Holy Name Altar is one style of what is commonly called a Viaticum referring to the Bread of Life needed to make the journey to the afterlife. It's small, portable in a bag, so that priests can visit sick patients at home or in the hospital.

A Sick Call Altar was kept in the home and contained items to be used when the Priest came to administer the Sacrament of Extreme Unction (Last Rites, now called Anointing of the Sick)... small candles and a holy water bottle , a spoon and paten(plate). The priest brought the blessed oil with him, and also Holy Communion in his own sick call kit.

Later this type of shrine evolved into hollow crucifixes which could hang on the wall and be brought down to use in the home sacrament.

According to the booklet which came with the shrine, the Holy Name Altar was intended for ongoing devotions and NOT just for times of illness or death. The booklet contains litany prayers and novenas as well as the English version of the Stabat Mater.